Sunday, August 16, 2020

Order of Service - Sunday, August 16, 2020, 9:30 a.m.

 The livestream may be found here.

Click below to access the order of worship.


THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

 

The color green, used for the vestments and paraments in the season after Pentecost, represents growth and life in the Holy Spirit.

 

We are so used to saying ‘We are all God’s children.’ But in the world of the Bible, that was not so clear. For the people of the Old Testament, the people of the nations surrounding them were not God’s children, for they had neither the law nor the promises; God had not chosen them as he had the Israelites. Moreover, they acted in sinful ways: among other things, they worshiped the fertility gods and engaged in cultic acts of human sacrifice and sexual religious rites. The presence of Gentiles among the people of God led many in Israel to imitate their religious beliefs and practices, neglecting the worship of the true God.

 

Nevertheless, there are texts in the Old Testament which show that God was calling both Jews and the other peoples of the world. The promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 is, ‘Through you all the nations of the world will be blessed.’ Here in Isaiah the Scripture speaks positively of ‘foreigners’ who come to the God of Israel to worship him and to obey his commandments. These are included in the people of God and may enter the temple on Mount Zion. The psalmist prays to God that ‘all the peoples may praise you,’ for God ‘judges with equity and guides all the nations on earth.’

 

In the fifteenth chapter of Matthew the question of the inclusion of the Gentiles is faced head on. Jesus makes clear that the failure to follow the letter of the Torah regarding clean and unclean foods is not what makes one unclean in God’s sight, but rather the presence of sin and its effects in our lives. Sin holds all people in bondage, but in the example of the Canaanite woman we find faith in Jesus as Messiah (‘Son of David’) even from one who is outside the house of Israel. By faith she receives the promises which belong to God’s people; those who have faith are God’s people.

 

St Paul was committed to the belief that in Jesus God had broken down the wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles. Nevertheless, as an Israelite, he was passionately concerned about his people, for non-Jews were accepting Jesus at a much faster rate than his own people, and now some Gentiles were saying that they had been chosen and that God had rejected the original people of God. The Word and promise of God is at stake. The entire 11th chapter of Romans is a tour de force exalting God whose gifts and promises to his people are irrevocable.


Preparation for Worship

Upon reaching your place, you may wish to read Psalm 84 in silence:

 

1 How dear to me is your dwelling, O | Lord of hosts!*

               My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord;

               my heart and my flesh rejoice in the | living God.

2 The sparrow has found her a house

and the swallow a nest where she may | lay her young,*

               by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts,

my King | and my God.

3 Happy are they who dwell | in your house!*

               They will always be | praising you.

4 Happy are the people whose strength | is in you,*

               whose hearts are set on the | pilgrims' way.

5 Those who go through the desolate valley

will find it a | place of springs,*

               for the early rains have covered it with | pools of water.

6 They will climb from | height to height,*

               and the God of gods will reveal him- | self in Zion.

7 Lord God of hosts, | hear my prayer;*

               hearken, O | God of Jacob.

8 Behold our defend- | er, O God;*

               and look upon the face of | your anointed.

9 For one day in your courts

is better than a thousand in | my own room,*

               and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God

               than to dwell in the tents | of the wicked.

10 For the Lord God is both | sun and shield;*

               he will give | grace and glory;

11 no good thing will the | Lord withhold*

               from those who walk | with integrity.

12 O | Lord of hosts,*

               happy are they who put their | trust in you!

 

You may pray the following prayers:

 

Holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God: hear our prayer and send your holy angel from heaven to guard, protect, visit, and defend all those who assemble together in this house; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Most gracious God, incline your merciful ears to our prayers and enlighten our hearts by the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may approach your Holy Mysteries with believing hearts and love you with an everlasting love.

 

OPENING MUSIC                                      Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service

                                                                                      Wilbur Held

 

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played:

 

1        Lord, whose love in humble service

bore the weight of human need,

Who upon the cross, forsaken,

worked your mercy’s perfect deed:

We, your servants, bring the worship

not of voice alone, but heart;

Consecrating to your purpose

ev’ry gift which you impart.

 

2             Still your children wander homeless;

               still the hungry cry for bread;

               still the captives long for freedom;

               still in grief we mourn our dead.

               As you, Lord, in deep compassion

               healed the sick and freed the soul,

               By your Spirit send your power

               to our world to make it whole.

 

3             As we worship, grant us vision,

               till your loves revealing light

               in its height and depth and greatness

               dawns upon our quickened sight,

               Making known the needs and burdens

               your compassion bids us bear,

               stirring us to ardent service,

               your abundant life to share.

 

 

Text: Albert F. Bayly,  b. 1901, alt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

 

Stand

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

 

In the name of the Father, and of the X Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

  Amen

 

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

  Amen

 

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(1 John 1:8-9)

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

 

Most merciful God,

we confess that we are in bondage to sin

and cannot free ourselves.

We have sinned against you

in thought, word, and deed,

by what we have done

and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart;

we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,

so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your holy name. Amen

 

Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the X Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

  Amen

 


THE HOLY COMMUNION

 

APOSTOLIC GREETING

 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

  And also with you.

(2 Corinthians 13:13)

KYRIE ELEISON

 

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.                                             Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above,

and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.                      Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world,

for the well-being of the Church of God,

and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.                   Lord, have mercy.

 

For this holy house,

and for all who offer here their worship and praise,

let us pray to the Lord.                                                              Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.                      Amen

 

HYMN OF PRAISE

 

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.         

(Luke 2:14)

Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:

               We worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

               Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God:

               You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

               You are seated at the right hand of the Father;

receive our prayer.

               For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

               you alone are the Most High,

               Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father. Amen

 

 

 

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.

  And also with you.

 

God of the nations,

to your table all are invited, and in your family no one is a stranger.

  Satisfy the hunger of those gathered in this house of prayer,

  and mercifully extend to all the peoples on earth

  the joy of salvation and faith.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

  Amen


CALL TO THE WORD

Let God’s ways be known upon earth;

God’s saving health among all nations.   

  Let us hear the Word of the Lord.                                               Psalm 67:2                                                                

Sit

FIRST READING                                                                     Isaiah 56:1, 6-8

 

1Thus says the Lord:
  Maintain justice, and do what is right,
 for soon my salvation will come,
  and my deliverance be revealed.
6And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
  to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
  and to be his servants,
 all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it,
  and hold fast my covenant—
7these I will bring to my holy mountain,
  and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
 their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
  will be accepted on my altar;
 for my house shall be called a house of prayer
  for all peoples.
8Thus says the Lord God,
  who gathers the outcasts of Israel,
 I will gather others to them
  besides those already gathered.

 

The Word of the Lord.                                                          Thanks be to God.

PSALM 67

The psalm is read responsively between the pastor and the people.

 

1 May God be merciful to | us and bless us,*

               show us the light of his countenance, and | come to us.

2 Let your ways be known | upon earth,*

               your saving health a- | mong all nations.

3 Let the peoples praise | you, O God;*

               let all the | peoples praise you.

4 Let the nations be glad and | sing for joy,*

               for you judge the peoples with equity

and guide all the nations | upon earth.

5 Let the peoples praise | you, O God;*

               let all the | peoples praise you.

6 The earth has brought | forth her increase;*

               may God, our own God, give | us his blessing.

7 May God give | us his blessing,*

               and may all the ends of the earth stand in | awe of him.

 

SECOND READING                                                  Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 

 

[Paul writes:] 1I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2aGod has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.
  29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, 31so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. 32For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

 

The Word of the Lord.                                               

  Thanks be to God.

 

Stand 

VERSE                 

Alleluia. The Word of God is living and active,

sharper than any two-edged sword,

  discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  Alleluia.

                                                           

Hebrews 4:12

 

GOSPEL                                                                                 Matthew 15: 10-28

 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

  Glory to you, O Lord.

 

10[Jesus] called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand:11it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” 12Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 13He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” 15But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? 18But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 19For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”] 
  21Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

 

The Gospel of the Lord.                              

  Praise to you, O Christ.

 

Sit

SERMON                                                               

                                            

 

 

 

HYMN OF THE DAY                                                       Rise, Shine, You People!

 

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played.

 

1              Rise, shine, you people! Christ the Lord has entered

               our human story; God in him is centered.

               He comes to us, by death and sin surrounded,

               with grace unbounded.

 

2             See how he sends the pow’rs of evil reeling;

               he brings us freedom, light and life and healing.

               All men and women, who by guilt are driven,

               now are forgiven.

 

3             Come, celebrate; your banners high unfurling,

               your songs and prayers against the darkness hurling.

               To all the world go out and tell the story

               of Jesus’ glory.

 

4             Tell how the Father sent his Son to save us.

               Tell of the Son, who life and freedom gave us.

               Tell how the Spirit calls from ev’ry nation

               his new creation.

 

Text: Ronald A. Klug, b. 1939, alt.

© 1974 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stand

CONFESSION OF FAITH

The pastor and people confess the faith of the Church in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

               creator of heaven and earth.

 

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

               He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

                              and born of the virgin Mary.

               He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

                              was crucified, died, and was buried.

               He descended into hell.

               On the third day he rose again.

               He ascended into heaven,

                              and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

               He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

               the holy catholic Church,

               the communion of saints,

               the forgiveness of sins,

               the resurrection of the body,

               and the life everlasting. Amen

 

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

 

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

 

A brief silence is kept.

                   

In accepting the faith of the Canaanite woman, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ made his house of faith a house of prayer for all peoples. Grant that we be made faithful to him, and turn to him for all help in time of need. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

 

 

 

Your apostle said, ‘The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.’ Look with favor upon the spiritual descendants of the people you first called your own. Grant them your blessing, and bring us all to rejoice in that day when Messiah shall come in glory. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

We pray for the whole world and for our nation. We pray for the healing of the divisions between races, for the peaceful resolution of disagreements, and for adherence to the rule of law. Be with the Congress and the President of the United States; the courts and all who hold office in the land. Help them to do justice, that in our life together, we may anticipate the great day when salvation is revealed. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

We pray for those who seek a vaccine for coronavirus, those who work in healthcare, those who minister to the needs of those economically and emotionally affected by the disaster which has overtaken us. Have mercy upon us and give us wisdom and patience. Calm our hearts, bodies, and minds, and help us to put all of our trust in you. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

We praise you for the mercies shown in our lives and in the lives of others. We pray for Christians suffering from persecution; for all nations afflicted by violence; for the sick and dying everywhere; for those who suffer from mental illness; and for those whose faith grows cold or who cannot believe that God loves them. Hear our prayers for those we name before you.

 

The people may offer spoken and silent petitions or praises.

 

Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

We give you thanks for those who have lived and died in faith; especially for our relatives and those who have touched our lives in a special way. Help us to live faithfully with you until we join them in the holy city, into which will be brought the glory and honor of the nations. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

  Amen

 

 

PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

  And also with you.

 

The people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.

 

Sit

The Lord’s Table is prepared.

 

Stand

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

 

Lord, come to us and cleanse us,

come to us and heal us,

come to us and strengthen us,

  and grant that, having received you,

  we may never be separated from you,

  but continue yours forever.

 

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Great Thanksgiving begins with the Preface, leading into the Sanctus:

 

The Lord be with you.                                 

  And also with you.                      

Lift up your hearts.                                      

  We lift them to the Lord.                        

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.                                             

  It is right to give him thanks and praise.

 

  It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord,

  Who answered the faithful prayer of the Canaanite woman, and thus fulfilled the promise made by the prophet that all those who love the name of the LORD will be made joyful in the house you have made for all peoples.

  And so with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

 

 

 

 

 

Holy, holy, holy LORD, God of power and might!

Heaven and earth are full of your glory;

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

Hosanna in the highest!                                  (Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9)

 

The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:

 

 You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God;

you are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory.

You so loved the world that you gave your only Son,

that whoever believes in him

may not perish but have eternal life.

Having come into the world, he fulfilled for us your holy will

               and accomplished our salvation.           

 

In the night in which he was betrayed,

               our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

               broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

               Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

               and gave it for all to drink, saying:

               This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

               shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

Remembering, therefore, his salutary command,

               his life-giving Passion and death,

               his glorious resurrection and ascension,

and his promise to come again,

               we give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,

               not as we ought, but as we are able;

and we implore you mercifully

to accept our praise and thanksgiving,

and, with your Word and Holy Spirit,

to bless us, your servants,

and these your own gifts of bread and wine;

that we and all who share

in the body and blood of your Son

may be filled with heavenly peace and joy,

and, receiving the forgiveness of sin,

may be sanctified in soul and body,

and have our portion with all your saints.

 

All honor and glory are yours, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

               in your holy Church, now and forever.  Amen

 

In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using the words he gave us.

 

Christ is in our midst.

               By the power of the Spirit,

               we pray to his Father, saying:

 

 

Our Father, who art in heaven,

               hallowed be thy name,

               thy kingdom come,

               thy will be done,

                              on earth as it is in heaven.

               Give us this day our daily bread;

               and forgive us our trespasses,

                              as we forgive those who trespass against us;

               and lead us not into temptation,

                              but deliver us from evil.

               For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,

                              forever and ever. Amen                               (Matthew 6:9-15)

 

We adore Christ with the words of the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).

 

The earth has brought forth her increase;

  May God, our own God, give us his blessing.                                                                                                (Psalm 67:6)

 

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

  have mercy on us.                                                      

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;             

  have mercy on us.                                       

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;             

  Grant us peace.

(John 1:29, see also Luke 17:13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTION

Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.

 

They may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

 

The communicants will be invited forward one family unit at a time. Please do not come forward until the pastor directs you to come forward, do not approach all the way to the table until the pastor has retreated,  and please do not remove your mask until you have reached the table with the elements on it.

 

 When the pastor says ‘The body of Christ, given for you,’ eat the bread. When the pastor says, ‘The blood of Christ, shed for you,’ drink the wine.  Please take the plate and the glass(es) and place them on the table that is indicated. Please put your mask on before returning to your seat.

 

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played.

One Bread, One Body

 

Refrain

        One bread, one body, one Lord of all;

        one cup of blessing which we bless,

        and we, though many throughout the earth,

        we are one body in this one Lord.

 

1      Gentile or Jew, servant or free,

        woman or man, no more.  Refrain

 

2     Many the gifts, many the works,

        one in the Lord of all.  Refrain

 

3      Grain for the fields, scattered and grown,

        gathered to one for all.  Refrain

 

Text: John Foley, SJ, b. 1939

Text © 1978 John B. Foley, SJ and OCP Publications, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213. All rights reserved. 

When all have received, the congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.

 

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.   

  Amen

 

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

A light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be forever. Amen                                       Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

 

 

O Christ, Lamb of God pure and holy,

O Wisdom, Word, and Power of God,

  Grant that we may more perfectly partake of you

  in the days which know no ending in your kingdom;

for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

  Amen                                              

 

BENEDICTION

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and X give you peace.

 (Numbers 6:24-26)

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

  Thanks be to God!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLOSING MUSIC                                                           On Our Way Rejoicing

 

1      On our way rejoicing

        gladly let us go.

        Christ our Lord has conquered;

        vanquished is the foe.

        Christ without, our safety;

        Christ within, our joy;

        who, if we be faithful,

        can our hope destroy?

 

Refrain

        On our way rejoicing;

        as we forward move,

        hearken to our praises,

        O blest God of love!

 

2     Unto God the Father

        joyful songs we sing;

        unto God the Savior

        thankful hearts we bring;

        unto God the Spirit

        bow we and adore,

        on our way rejoicing

        now and evermore.  Refrain

 

Text: John S. B. Monsell, 1811-1875, alt.

 

Please maintain social distance and remain masked while exiting the building. Please sanitize your hands before leaving the building.


 

OUR STEWARDSHIP of GOD’S GIFTS

                                             

Last Weekend’s Attendance:     16 + 17 = 33

                                                                   

Offering: 8/9/2020

               Towards Budget:                                $             2,001.00

Itemized Non Budget:

                            Food Bank:                         $        35.00

                    Water Mission:                          $        35.00

 

                                             Total:                         $             2,071.00

 

The Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God by Rick Kleen in loving memory of his mother.

 

V IN YOUR PRAYERS 

Linda Armento, at home

Ruth Duessel, at Concordia, Rebecca

Pastor Carl Hendrickson, at home

Elsie Kemmler and Bill Roth at Concordia, South Hills

David Noel, at Kane Rehab, Scott Township

Geneva Schrag, at Consulate Health Care, Canonsburg

William Wetzel at Concordia, Cabot

 

 

A FEW REMINDERS AS WE RESUME PUBLIC WORSHIP SERVICES:

·        If you wish to attend worship, you will need to pre-register every week by either calling the office or sending an email.

·        Registration ends Saturday at 12 noon.

·        Masks are required to be worn while in the building.

·        Upon entering and leaving the church, you must sanitize your hands or wash them with soap and water.

·        Everyone must sign in when entering the church. This way we can keep track of who was in the church and when.

 

WORSHIP SERVICES are held every Saturday evening at 6:30 PM and Sunday morning at 9:30 AM. Pastor Frontz will also livestream Compline (Prayer at the Close of the Day) on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. and Vespers (Evening Prayer) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. These can be accessed on the church’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ststephenpittsburgh).

 

THE CHURCH COUNCIL will meet this evening at 7 PM.  Please pray for the council.

 

KINDLY REMEMBER TO PAY FOR THE FLOWERS you ordered for the weekend Altar and for the special occasions.  Altar flowers are $20/vase. Checks can be made out to St. Stephen Lutheran Church with a notation “flowers” and placed in the offering plate

 

DAILY DEVOTIONS, including THE WORD IN SEASON, PORTALS OF PRAYER AND CHRIST IN OUR HOME (July, August, and September 2020) are available on the table in the Narthex. Take one or more to share with family and friends. If you are able, a donation would be welcomed to help defray the cost to the congregation for these resources. Thank you!

 

2020 ‘DAILY TEXTS’ are available in the Narthex. A donation of

$10 per book would be appreciated to help cover the cost of the books. Thank you.

 

PLEASE ALERT Pastor Frontz anytime you are hospitalized by calling him on his cell: (570) 447-8758.  Hospitals DO NOT contact the church.

 

ST STEPHEN COUNSELING CENTER  A site of Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute/PPI)  For marriage, family, teen and individual counseling – for first appointment call PPI at 412-661-1239. St. Stephen Center is

412-279-5452. Counseling opens doors to hope. Counselor: Caroline Graham-McGuire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: THIS WEEK FOR THE FAITH FAMILY
Sun/ Aug 16	WORSHIP 9:30 AM
		Council Meeting  7:00 PM
		Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 P
Wed/ Aug 19	Evening Prayer (livestream) 7:00 PM
Sat/ Aug 22	NA Meeting 11:00 AM
SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP 6:30 PM
Sun/ Aug 23	WORSHIP 9:30 AM
		Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PMM

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language,

copyright 1997 International Commission on English in the Liturgy. All rights reserved.
Bazzi Rahib, Canannite Woman Asks for Healing. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57555